1st batch of nursing, pharmacy assistants to be posted in remote areas

…to fast-track access to quality healthcare Region 9

After three years is thorough preparation, Guyana welcomed its first batch of trained nursing and pharmacy assistants.
Hailing from the Tourism Hub of Lethem, Region Nine (Upper Takutu-Upper Essequibo), some 27 pharmacy and 31 nursing assistants successfully completed the programme after being engaged in months of rigorous theoretical and practical training.
Many of the new health professionals have already signed the employment contracts with various health centres across the Rupununi region and are gearing up for their posts.
The graduation of this batch, marks a significant milestone in bolstering healthcare delivery at the community level in Region Nine, ensuring that residents have access to quality healthcare services closer to home.
In his address to those gathered at the Lethem Business Incubator Centre, Health Minister Dr. Frank Anthony, congratulated the graduates and encouraged them to continue striving for excellence in all their future endeavours, this including additional training.

According to Dr. Anthony, the medical field is constantly evolving and staying abreast with new discoveries, treatment methods and medicine is one of the ways Guyana can achieve a resilient worldclass healthcare system.
“You can have a very long career in health but we don’t want you to stick at this entry level… We want to have people that are enthusiastic, we want to have people who are willing to learn, and there are lot of things that you will learn in the wards of the hospital and in the facilities that you will be working. What we have done is to give you some basic training, but you will learn a lot more if you are paying attention on the job,” Dr. Anthony encouraged.
Further, he urged the graduates to go forth and put your skills to use in a way that will change lives and enhance the medical field.
“Make use of what you have and all the other things that we will be providing to you, so that you can meet your full potential as a young person in Guyana. That is what this government would like to see, that is what the President would like to see and hopefully we can motivate you to keep learning, to keep on this journey and perform at a different level,” The Health Minister posited.
Meanwhile, Regional Health Officer, Dr. Cerdel McWatt pointed out that healthcare services are being decentralised as part of the government’s initiative to provide quality services in outlying regions.
As part of these efforts, the government will be constructing a new wing of the Lethem Regional Hospital, which will be providing ultrasounds, CT-scans among other critical services that are currently unavailable. In addition, district hospitals in Annai, Karasabai and Aishalton are being upgraded to Level Three facilities.
“We’re not just putting it on paper to say: here we have a level three facility, but there’s active construction of operating theatres, imaging services there; x-rays, ultrasounds in patient… we’ll complement that to ensure that these services are not only being provided but we will ensure that the skilled personnel – and this is a testimony and another promise being fulfilled,” the RHO stressed.

Revolutionisation
In March, the Health Ministry took a momentous step towards revolutionising nursing education in the country by partnering with the renowned Coursera online platform to introduce the Hybrid Nursing Assistant training programme.
The collaboration aims to make quality healthcare training accessible to all individuals, ensuring that aspiring nurses have the opportunity to enhance their skills and knowledge.
This will now allow Guyanese to access the theoretical aspect of the programme online and while the practical aspect will be conducted face-to-face.
At the time, Coursera Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Jeff Matthew shared his excitement and vision for the future of this initiative during the launch, emphasising the importance of not only meeting individuals’ basic needs, but also offering them access to over 50 professional certificates and seeing them receive personalised Coursera coaching while studying online.
He said that this comprehensive support system was designed to empower participants and pave the way for a successful career in nursing.
Meanwhile, Anthony said that Government was unwavering in its commitment to improving the country’s healthcare infrastructure and raising the standard of service across all levels.
Dr. Anthony expressed his delight at the overwhelming response to the programme, with about 1000 nurses already enrolled and undergoing training.
It was highlighted during the launch that the success of the Hybrid Nursing Assistant training programme is evident, with approximately 800 individuals already taking advantage of the online courses. By offering this programme through Coursera, the Ministry aims to equip more individuals with the skills and expertise needed to excel in the field of nursing. This initiative is poised to increase the number of qualified nurses graduating each year, ultimately enhancing the quality of healthcare services in Guyana.
Currently, the aim is to have 3,000 nurses trained in the next three years. (G1)